Addressing Food Insecurity in North Carolina

More than 2 million people in our state are food insecure and can’t easily access healthy food. These residents suffer from high rates of diet-related diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some kinds of cancer, and other chronic conditions. Research shows that those who live closer to healthy food retail have a lower risk of these disorders.

One way to combat food insecurity is by making healthy foods available at corner stores. Convenience stores tend to be in areas that have less access to grocery stores, making them great places to increase healthy and local products. The state-supported Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (HFSRP) helps small convenience and corner store owners stock healthy foods. The HFSRP is in the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The program was created in 2016, when the General Assembly appropriated $250,000 to pilot the initiative.

 An additional $250,000 was appropriated in 2017. You can learn more about the HFSRP by visiting http://bit.ly/2GawFQt. The North Carolina Alliance for Health (NCAH) has been promoting the elimination of food deserts and food insecurity in North Carolina since 2013. NCAH convenes and mobilizes partners to advance equitable health policies that promote wellness and prevent obesity and tobacco use.